日本央行1月会议或释放鹰派信号以稳汇率

Core Viewpoint - The Bank of Japan is expected to maintain its policy interest rate at 0.75% during the upcoming monetary policy meeting, while analysts warn of a potential hawkish stance in the policy statement due to recent economic signals and currency fluctuations [1][2]. Group 1: Monetary Policy Expectations - The Bank of Japan is likely to keep the interest rate unchanged at 0.75% as it awaits clearer economic signals, particularly from the spring labor negotiations and upcoming inflation data [1]. - Analysts suggest that if wage negotiations continue to show strong growth, the Bank may raise rates by 25 basis points as early as March [1]. - The recent depreciation of the yen, with the USD/JPY nearing 160, has raised concerns about inflation and the need for a hawkish policy response [1]. Group 2: Economic Indicators - The December Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a significant cooling, complicating the policy path for the Bank of Japan [1]. - The market is closely monitoring the final CPI figures for December, as a substantial drop in inflation could lead the Bank to reassess its rate hike timeline [2]. - The sustainability of government debt is under scrutiny following the announcement of early elections aimed at expanding the ruling party's seats to promote more expansive fiscal policies [1]. Group 3: Future Projections - Analysts from ING believe that if core inflation stabilizes above 2%, supported by wage growth and government subsidies, the Bank may consider its next rate hike in the second half of 2026 [1]. - The potential for a hawkish tone in the upcoming policy statement could provide short-term support for the yen, while a more cautious approach may lead to further depreciation [2].